A crucial NBA regular season game is set for a dramatic showdown as the Atlanta Hawks travel to face the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Friday, January 9, 2026. However, the anticipated matchup has been significantly altered by a wave of injuries and roster changes affecting both squads. The contest is expected to test the depth and strategic adaptability of each team, shifting the spotlight from usual superstars to role players and bench units.
Complete Injury Report: Who's In and Who's Out?
The Denver Nuggets will be severely hampered in the frontcourt, missing their two primary centers. Nikola Jokic is ruled out with a left knee bone bruise, a massive blow to their offensive engine. Compounding their interior woes, Jonas Valanciunas is also sidelined due to a right calf strain.
Several Nuggets regulars are battling through issues but are likely to suit up. Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), and Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain and illness) are all listed as probable. The status of Spencer Jones remains up in the air; he is marked as questionable after exiting a recent game early with left ankle inflammation and illness.
For the Atlanta Hawks, the landscape looks different following a major trade. Star guard Trae Young is not with the team and will not play, as the franchise adjusts after moving on from him. Their frontcourt depth is also challenged, with N’Faly Dante out for the season with a torn ACL. A key player to watch is Onyeka Okongwu, listed as questionable due to illness; his potential absence would further weaken Atlanta's interior defense and rebounding.
Team Context and Statistical Outlook
The injury to Nikola Jokic fundamentally changes Denver's dynamics. The Nuggets, with an estimated record of 25-12, boast a strong offensive rating of 115.2 and defensive rating of 108.0. However, their performance dips without the two-time MVP. Denver is 22-10 with Jokic but just 3-2 without him, sporting a negative net rating of minus 1.8 per 100 possessions in his absence.
The Atlanta Hawks, with an estimated 15-12 record, have been searching for consistency. Their offensive rating (112.5) and defensive rating (110.2) reflect a team around the .500 mark, and they have struggled to find a new identity in the post-Trae Young era. This game presents another tough challenge in that ongoing adjustment period.
Game Strategy, Broadcast Info, and Prediction
With Jokic unavailable, the Nuggets will heavily rely on Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon to initiate and fuel the offense. Atlanta, if Okongwu is available, might look to exploit Denver's thin frontcourt by attacking the paint aggressively. The outcome is poised to hinge on which team's supporting cast steps up more effectively.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). Fans can catch the national broadcast on TNT or stream it via NBA League Pass. Local viewers can tune into Altitude TV for Nuggets coverage and Bally Sports Southeast for the Hawks' feed. Radio coverage will be available on SiriusXM NBA Radio, with live stats accessible through NBA.com and official team applications.
Despite the absences, sportsbooks slightly favor the home team, with Denver installed as 1.5-point favorites. The total points over/under is set at 233.5. This matchup promises to be a battle of resilience, where coaching decisions and the performance of second-unit players could ultimately decide the winner.
